| CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURE
I know that knee injuries are common in people. Do they occur in dogs? The knee joint of the dog is one of the weakest in the body. Just as football players and skiers frequently suffer knee injuries, the dog also has knee injuries. Why is the knee so likely to be injured? The knee joint is relatively unstable because there is no interlocking of bones in the joint. Instead, the two main bones, the femur and tibia, are joined with several ligaments. When severe twisting of the joint occurs, the most common injury is a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. When it is torn, an instability occurs that allows the bones to move in an abnormal fashion in relation to each other. It is not possible to bear weight on the leg without it collapsing. How is it diagnosed? The most reliable means of diagnosing this injury is to move the femur and tibia in a certain way to demonstrate the instability. This movement is called a "drawer sign." It may be necessary to use sedation in order to examine the joint thoroughly. How is it treated? Correction of this problem requires surgery. If surgery is not performed within a few days to a week, arthritic changes will begin that cannot be reversed, even with surgery. Just like in humans, some arthritis will develop eventually regardless of whether or not surgery is performed and what procedure is used. However, surgery allows most dogs to regain normal use of the knee. I have heard of torn cartilage. Does this also occur? Occasionally the injury that causes a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament will also result in tearing of one or both of the menisci or "cartilages." At the time of surgery, these are examined and removed if necessary. What happens if surgery is not performed? Occasionally, the dog that has a ruptured cruciate ligament will become sound (will no longer limp) even if surgery is not performed. However, arthritis will usually begin and result in lameness a few months later. That lameness cannot be corrected. My dog is overweight. Does that relate to this injury? A special note is appropriate concerning the dog's weight. Obesity or excessive weight can be a strong contributing factor in cruciate rupture. The ligament may become weakened due to carrying too much weight; this causes it to tear easily. Obesity will make the recovery time much longer, and it will make the other knee very susceptible to cruciate rupture. If your dog has a weight problem, there are prescription diets that can be used to assist weight reduction. INSTRUCTIONS It is important to keep Brutus as quiet as possible for the next two weeks. He should not be allowed to jump up and down off of the furniture. He should only be let outside to go to the bathroom and then only on a leash. We should see him for a recheck either next Friday or Saturday. If this will not work, then please call as I will be away from July 19-25. Try to keep the bandage on as long as possible. It is wise to cover it with a garbage bag when Brutus goes outside. Even if it is not wet out, he may accidentally urinate on it. If the bandage becomes soiled or wet, then you should remove it. Also, make sure that it is not making a sore area at the top. If the bandage slides down so that more than 3 inches of the incision is showing, then go ahead and remove it. If you can see the incision and it appears red, swollen, or moist then please phone. Administer the medications as directed. Cephalexin is an antibiotic and Rimadyl is an anti-inflammatory (same one he was on previously). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. |
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